Comparing Endoscopic and Conventional Techniques for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Surgery: A Retrospective Study

Introduction This study aims to compare the effectiveness of endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) versus open carpal tunnel release (OCTR) in treating carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), focusing on symptom relief, functional recovery, and postoperative complications. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 44 patients diagnosed with CTS, randomly assigned to undergo either ECTR (n=23) or OCTR (n=21). Parameters evaluated included postoperative pain, grip strength, functional status using the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, and time to return to work. Results Patients undergoing ECTR demonstrated superior functional recovery and quicker return to daily and work activities compared to the OCTR group. Grip strength improvement post-surgery showed no significant difference between groups. However, ECTR patients reported significantly lower DASH scores and faster return to work, indicating a better outcome. There were fewer reports of postoperative complications and scar sensitivity in the ECTR group. Conclusion ECTR provides an effective alternative to OCTR for CTS treatment, with advantages in functional recovery speed, reduced postoperative discomfort, and faster return to work. These findings support the adoption of ECTR as a preferred surgical approach for CTS, highlighting its potential to improve patient outcomes with minimal complications.